LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: july 12, 2024
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:25 p.m.
Carryovers:
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $791
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
6-8-1-10 (DIRT: 5-4-8-9)
#6 Anaita (7-2) beat several of these in gate-to-wire fashion two starts back, then got up to win last out at Penn National despite getting taken out of her element at the start. She usually doesn’t show a ton of early speed, but based on that two-back win and the lack of speed to her inside Wesley Ho might be inspired to put her in play. #8 Stressed (3-1) was a vet scratch on June 23, but has worked twice since then as she prepares for her local debut for Lacey Gaudet. She ran brisnet figures in the 80s consistently last year, but tailed off in her last few. A change of scenery might do her good. #1 Translate (4-1) finished a hard-charging second to Anaita first off a five-month layoff last out, and has enough late punch to at least get a share. She improved ten points in her second start of the season last year; a similar jump here means easy victory.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES
2-1-5-6
After starting his career 0-for-22, the lightbulb has gone on for #2 Money Room (7-5), who has won two of his last three starts and lost the race in between by a neck. He’s run in the 80s in three consecutive starts, something the rest of these struggle to do at all. As long as he runs his race, he’ll be very hard to beat. #1 Law of the Jungle (7-2) has finished second in each of his last two starts at this condition, both times making up solid late ground into moderate fractions. There’s some speed in here, so he might get a faster tempo to run into and outkick everyone except Money Room. #5 Bright Forecast (6-1) finished a solid third when stretched out around two turns last out, improving three points to a 79 second off a 6 1/2-month layoff.
- Siesta Key takes Kitten’s Joy thrillerTwo-year-old Siesta Key found a seam and narrowly won the Kitten’s Joy Stakes Saturday at Colonial Downs in his first try on turf.
RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
7-4-2-3 (DIRT: 4-1-8-9)
#7 Gingersraceday (8-1) was completely ignored at the windows on debut, going off at 61-1 against similar, but outran expectations and finished a hard-charging third. She could take another step forward at a good number. #4 Magnolia Wind (5-2) has run a 74 in both of her grass starts, including a race on this track last November where she crossed the wire first, but was disqualified due to drifting in the stretch. She gets some class relief after facing New York-bred maidens at Saratoga in her most recent. #2 La Befana (7-2) has finished second as the favorite at this level in each of her last two starts, chasing gate-to-wire winners both times. Jaime Rodriguez gets aboard for the first time.
RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS
5-6-7-3
If Golden Can wins race 1, it would further flatter the form of #5 Bandits Warrior (7-5), who beat her on grass last out. This one has won four of her last six starts overall and has run figures in the 80s in each of her last three races. She should press the pace from the outside and pounce. #6 Bourbon Wildcat (7-2) continues her descent down the class ladder, having most recently finished fourth at the $30,000 starter optional claiming level. If Bandits Warrior gets caught in a duel, this one will take full advantage. #7 Angelofcanterbury (5-2) set the pace and held on to win her last two-turn start with a giant 88, her career-best figure by five points. Even if she can’t duplicate that race, she’s still at her best around one turn.
RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
2-9-1-10 (DIRT: 1-2-8-7)
#2 Stow On the Wold (7-2) was well-bet first off a ten-month layoff last out and turned in a strong showing, finishing seven lengths clear of the rest for second and losing only to a gate-to-wire even-money winner. He might be able to make the front against these softer rivals, and from there, could be the on who’s tough to catch. #9 Border War (3-1) battled on a hot pace second off a 13-month break last out, and thought he flattened out to fourth, he still ran a much-improved 85. He’s getting class relief after facing much better maidens in his last two races. #1 Shrug (5-1) showed speed and held third in his debut on dirt at Delaware Park. He’s a half-brother to Secret Someone, a graded stakes winner on grass.
RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS
5-8-7-1
#5 Brighty (8-1) has a string of strong workouts at Pimlico under his belt, with three consecutive drills in 48 seconds or faster. He gets to face a largely uninspiring field on debut, and could be interesting if he shows anything. #8 Rapidity (9-2) has shown little in his last two starts, but he ran a strong 75 at first asking in mid-April, and was claimed out of his last start by Kieron Magee. #7 Watch Out World (10-1) improved sharply on grass in his second start of the year last out, despite breaking awkwardly and losing early position. He should sit a nice trip near the leaders.
- Wendell Fong’s long route to the finish lineIt was a long, twisting road for eight-year-old gelding Wendell Fong, but it’s ending up in the right place: with the retirement he’s earned.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
5-4-3-10 (DIRT: 2-8-9-3)
While #5 North Lincoln (5-1) hasn’t raced since October 2022, he’s trained by Graham Motion, which makes him impossible to ignore. He’s 8-for-13 at the Laurel summer meet. This one has worked well since mid-May, and should be primed for a big effort. #4 Fun Notion (3-1) checked out of contention last out, but just missed in a blanket finish first off a six-month layoff in his prior race. The top two in that race, Had to Have Him and Tidewater, are both entered in the Ben’s Cat Stakes Saturday. #3 Great Idea (4-1) outfinished Had to have Him when a solid-closing second last out, and won this track twice last year with mid-80s figures both times.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS
7-5-4-1
#7 No Easy Days (7-2) has run at least an 89 in ach of his last five starts on a fast track. He raced twice and just missed in a tough second-level field last out; he should benefit from the class drop. The lightbulb has gone back on for #5 Freeze the Fire (4-1), who has won back-to-back races after a series of near-misses over the winter and early spring. He lasted through pace pressure in a determined victory against Maryland-restricted foes in his last start. Baffert expat #4 Wickline (7-5) broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion at Los Alamitos last June, and makes his first start since then. He joined the Brittany Russell barn in June and has four solid workouts since then. Like all Russell horses of this sort, he’s a boom-or-bust type.
RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
5-8-10-4(DIRT: 2-1-9-4)
#5 Strand of Gold (8-5) raced wide throughout against first-level types last out and faded. She makes her second start for the Nolan Ramsey barn here, and at her best, has a strong late punch. #8 Congress Hall (6-1) showed some improvement when fifth in her second grass start of the season last out, and may be at her best on this surface. #10 Nicolar (7-5) came from way out of it to win at this level two starts back, and finished a hard-charging fourth last out despite falling well off a very slow early pace.
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